TECH SPECS

Price: US$6,000 (S$8,314)

Processor: 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801

Operating System: Android 4.4 KitKat

Screen: 5-inch 1,080p full HD

Memory: 64GB, expandable microSD

Camera: 20-megapixels (rear) dual LED-flash, 8-megapixels (front)

Battery: 3,400mAh

RATING

Features: 3/5

Design: 3/5

Performance: 3/5

Battery life: 3/5

Overall: 3/5

It is a no-brainer to say that
this phone is not for everyone. Its US$6,000 (S$8,300) price tag can
easily pay for a vacation for two to Europe, a string of dinners at
decent restaurants and enough flagship smartphones for your whole
family.

But those will not give the owner the sense of entitlement and
luxury that owning this device will likely instil, which is exactly
what the brand is aiming for.

Crafted in calfskin leather, with metal trimmings around the
chassis, the 88 Tauri is not going for a slim form factor or sleek
look. In fact, the very act of having thick stainless steel plates that
open up to reveal the dual SIM slots, microSD and USB 3.0 charging
ports, marks the phone as being larger than necessary.

The gold-coloured metallic trim of the review unit goes nicely with
the light brown leather. In case the bling is not noticeable enough,
there are two Lamborghini bull logos on the phone.

Confused? The bull is not a reference to the famous sports car
brand. Tonino is the son of the famed sports car founder and he has
licensed his family name to be used on non-automotive lifestyle
products.

Thankfully, the makers did not simply slap a luxurious shell over
low-end components. The 2.3GHz quad-core processor puts it on a par
with last year's flagship Android devices, and the use of a full
high-definition screen and Android 4.4 operating system makes this a
decent device.

The dual SIM card slots tell you that the phone's target customers
are globetrotting businessmen who crave prestige but also appreciate
useful technology.

The array of features also include a 20-megapixel rear camera
supported by a dual LED flash, and an 8-megapixel front camera.
Focusing can be a tad slow, but the final images are vibrant and sharp,
as befits a device of this stature.

All that is lacking is a concierge service, such as the one that
competitor Vertu offers customers of its equally overpriced Android
smartphones.

That global assistance service caters to the whims and fancies of
the super rich, and has become a signature provision that comes with
each Vertu device.